Eric Wynalda is excited about seeing Chelsea play in the USA this summer as the Blues get set for their pre-season tour.

Eric Wynalda is excited about seeing Chelsea play in the USA this summer as the Blues get set for their pre-season tour.

The European champions travel Stateside later in July with matches against Seattle Sounders (CenturyLink Field, Seattle July 18), French giants Paris Saint-Germain (Yankee Stadium, New York July 22), the MLS All-Stars (PPL Park, Philadelphia July 25) and Italian powerhouse AC Milan (Sun Life Stadium, Miami July 28) all scheduled.

Wynalda, who was a star with the US national team throughout the 1990s, now works as a commentator for Fox Soccer and is looking forward to having the West London club plying their trade on US shores in a few weeks’ time.

“It’s a great opportunity for this country to embrace the European champions,” he told Chelsea’s official website.

“So many people in the United States get up early to watch games and live every single moment of the Premier League. When Chelsea come over there really are a lot of people looking forward to seeing them live, and not have to get up so early in the morning, it’s a great opportunity for the fans.

“They’ll be watching these guys in front of them, and it will be a great summer.

“I remember as a youngster I had the opportunity to play against the likes of Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Juventus, against some great players, and it opens your eyes, not just to their abilities but you get to see what football looks like at the pinnacle.

“Not just the money, but the prestige of what it is like to play for a huge football club, and it will instil that dream in our young players when Chelsea come across.”

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Fresh reports of Michael Ballack ending his career in Major League Soccer have emerged with Austrian website oe24.at reporting he could make the move next year.

Fresh reports of Michael Ballack ending his career in Major League Soccer have emerged with Austrian website oe24.at reporting he could make the move next year.

The former Germany international is out of contract after his deal with Bayer Leverkusen expired on July 1 and it is being suggested that he is holding talks with Red Bull Salzburg regarding a one-year deal.

Ballack has been heavily linked with MLS in recent months and that speculation has been revisited with notions that after his 12-month stay in Salzburg, he could move on to New York Red Bull in North America’s top flight.

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Wigan Athletic owner and chairman Dave Whelan says the club is no panicking despite a slow beginning to the summer transfer market.

Wigan Athletic owner and chairman Dave Whelan says the club is no panicking despite a slow beginning to the summer transfer market.

The Latics are yet to make any signings thus far but Whelan insists there will be action especially after losing the likes of Hugo Rodallega, Momo Diame, Steve Gohouri, Chris Kirkland and Hendry Thomas at the end of last season.

“There’s nothing to worry about as far as the fans are concerned, nothing at all,” he said.

“The lads are back in (for pre-season training) this week and that can sometimes move things along a bit.

“The truth is, we don’t really know how busy it’s going to be this summer. We lost five players from last year’s squad, and those will obviously all have to be replaced.

“But (manager) Roberto (Martinez) is already well on to the case. He’s always looking and I’m sure things are in good hands.”

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